Health care bed with variable width bed frame and method for use thereof

ABSTRACT

A health care bed includes a floor engaging base frame and a first bed section having a wide central frame portion with a first width and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its wide central frame portion; a second bed section hingedly connected to the first bed section, having a narrow central frame portion with a second width less than the first width, and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its narrow central frame portion; and wherein at least one of first and second bed sections is mounted to said floor engaging base frame.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/141,207, filed Mar. 31, 2015, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of health care beds, and more specifically, to a health care bed with a variably sized bed frame and a method for use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bed frames for home, nursing and hospital healthcare environments are generally designed with bed frames about 35 inches wide, which will accommodate most persons. For large persons, persons suffering from obesity and persons having other afflictions wherein a wider bed frame can be beneficial, bariatric beds are provided with bed frames having widths such as 39, 42 or even 48 inches or wider. It is advantageous, however, that such beds, with accessories connected thereto, be able to pass through doorways and down narrow hallways.

What is needed is a health care bed operable to readily transform between two or more widths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A health care bed includes a floor engaging base frame and a first bed section having a wide central frame portion with a first width and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its wide central frame portion; a second bed section hingedly connected to the first bed section, having a narrow central frame portion with a second width less than the first width, and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its narrow central frame portion; and wherein at least one of first and second bed sections is mounted to said floor engaging base frame

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a health care bed frame 10 in accordance with the present invention, with variable width framing and shown in the retracted position 51.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a head end view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a foot end view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 1 and shown in the fully extended position 52.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a head end view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is the foot end view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is the bottom view of the health care bed frame 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a health care bed 70 with variably sized bed frame 10 in accordance with the present invention and shown in the fully reclined position 5.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the health care bed 70 of FIG. 15 and shown in the fully inclined position 7.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a rocker bar 91, spring 93 and locking button 92 of a locking mechanism 71 of health care bed 70 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a corner of the back section 12 of the bed frame 10 of FIG. 5, taken along the lines 18-18 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 19 is a cross-section of a portion of the back section 12 of FIG. 18, taken along the lines 19-19 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the corner of the back section 12 of FIG. 18 and shown with knob 103 depressed to release locking button 92.

FIG. 20a is an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional view of the corner of the back section 12 of FIG. 20 showing the locking button 92 and corresponding holes 61 and 96.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the corner of the back section 12 of FIG. 18 and shown with wing section 27 in the fully extended position 52.

FIG. 22 is a top view of a health care bed 120 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the health care bed 120 of FIG. 22 and showing on the right side the wing sections 28 of back and lower leg sections 12 and 15 extended out so the outermost edges (145 and 146) of any attached bed accessories (e.g. side rails 133 and 134) are in mutual planar alignment (at 147) with the outermost edges 151 and 152 of the wing sections 28 of seat and upper leg sections 13 and 14, and showing on the left side the wing sections 27 of all four sections 12-15 extended out so the outermost edges of such four wing sections 27 are in mutual planar alignment (at 148).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and any alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to FIGS. 1-14 there is shown a health care bed frame 10 with variable width framing. Bed frame 10 generally includes at least two bed sections (here there are four: a back section 12, a seat section 13, an upper leg section 14 and a lower leg section 15), and a locking assembly (designated generally at 16) for releasably holding bed frame 10 in one of its varied width positions. Sections 12-15 are pivotally interconnected along parallel, horizontal axes 21, 22 and 23, as shown, to enable bed frame 10 to be articulated between a fully reclined position 5 (shown in FIG. 15) and a fully inclined position 7 (shown in FIG. 16), as well as a variety of positions in between. As used herein, front, forward and forwardly refer toward the foot and lower leg section 15 of bed frame 10, and rear, rearward and rearwardly refer toward the head and back section 12 of bed frame 10.

The following description refers to back section 12, it being understood that the other sections 13-15 are similarly structured as it relates to the structure and operation of the wing sections and locking mechanisms described herein. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, back section 12 includes a central frame portion 26 and left and right side frames or wing sections 27 and 28, respectively, that are connected for horizontal extension and retraction relative central frame portion 26, as described herein. Central frame portion 26 includes forward and rearward, mutually parallel tube members 29 and 30 that are rigidly interconnected by left and right longitudinal frame rails 31 and 32 and, if desired, one or more additional longitudinal or similar structural support members, such as middle support rail 33. Tube members 29 and 30 each define a longitudinal cavity along its length that is sized and configured to telescopically receive mating arms of left and right wing sections, as described. Back section 12 also includes left and right upper slide retention rails 36 and 37, which extend between forward and rearward tube members 29 and 30 and above a corresponding one of left and right longitudinal frame rails 31 and 32. Slide gaps 38 and 39 are thus formed between upper retention rails 36 and 37 and their underlying frame rails 31 and 32, respectively, the slide gaps 38 and 39 being of a sufficient height to slidingly receive the series of inwardly extending tongues 41 and 42 of left and right wing sections 27 and 28, as shown.

Left and right wing sections 27 and 28 are mirror images of each other, and thus only wing section 27 will be described. Left wing section 27 is generally C-shaped, made of rectangular box tubing, which forms opposing arms 45 and 46 and a siderail 47 extending therebetween. At least a significant portion of the opposing arms 45 and 46 are sized and configured to be telescopically received within the mating cavities of tube members 29 and 30, at the outer ends thereof; the connecting siderail 47 could be alternatively sized or shaped. Thus, the arms 45 and 46 are telescopically received by tube members 29 and 30 at their left ends 48 and 49, respectively, and left wing section 27 can be moved between a retracted position 51 (FIGS. 1 and 4) and a fully extended position 52 (FIGS. 8 and 11).

Back section 12 also includes a series of spaced apart, mattress support rods 56 that are connected to the underside of and extend between opposing left and right upper slide retention rails 36 and 37. The mattress support rods 56 are also connected to and supported by the one or more additional support rail(s) 33. Left wing section 27 also includes the series of tongues 41 that extend inwardly from siderail 47, through slide gap 38 and substantially co-planer with mattress support rods 56. In the present embodiment, tongues 41 comprise the same small diameter rod as mattress support rods 56 and extend in a loop configuration from the siderail 47. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein any of the rails, arms, bars, etc. that comprise back section 12 are shaped, spaced, numbered and/or connected in ways different than described herein, so long as the arms 45 and 46 of wing section 27 are telescopically received within the outer ends 48 and 49 of tube members 29 and 30. The lengths of tongues 41 are such that a portion of each tongue 41 resides within the slide gap 38 when wing section 27 is in its fully extended position 52, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, locking assembly 16 includes at least one locking mechanism 71, which comprises a series of registration holes 61-64 defined in each of forward and rearward tube members 29 and 30, as well as an arm hole (not shown) defined in each of the arms 45 and 46 of each wing section, and a locking button 65. Locking button 65 is located within each arm 45/46 at the hole (not shown) in such arm 45/46 and is biased (by a spring member, not shown) to extend outwardly of both the arm hole (not shown) in such arm 45/46 and one of the registration holes 61-65 of a corresponding tube member 29 and 30 with which it may be aligned. Thus, when in the fully retracted position 51 (FIG. 1), a locking button 65 extends from within arm 45, through the hole (not shown) of arm 45 and through the innermost hole 61 of tube member 29, and arm 45 and its left wing section 27 are thus locked with tube member 29 and its central frame portion 26 in the retracted position 51. Depressing such button, and the opposing button on the opposing tube member 30, moves the buttons 65 inwardly of the holes in the tube members 29 and 30, and the wing section 27 is free to slide outwardly until the buttons reach the next set of holes (62), and under spring bias, extend outwardly into the next set of holes to now lock wing member 27 in that position which, here, is one of two intermediate positions between the retracted and fully extended positions 51 and 52.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown a health care bed 70 with variably sized health care bed frame 10 in accordance with the present invention. Health care bed 70 generally includes the bed frame 10 in substantially the same form as shown in FIGS. 1-14 and described in relation thereto, a base frame 72 and at least one locking mechanism 71 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Base frame 72 includes head and foot stanchions 74 and 75, respectively, and one or more elongated frame rails 76 and 77 extending therebetween. Each stanchion includes floor engaging casters 78 to enable the bed 70 to be moved about the floor. Each stanchion is also provided with a lifting mechanism 79 or similar mechanism to permit mechanized raising and lowering of the frame rails 76/77 and the bed frame 10 mounted thereto between lowered and raised positions (FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively). Head, seat, upper leg and lower leg sections 12-15 are fixedly and/or movably mounted to the frame rails 76 and 77 to enable such sections 12-15 to be articulated between a flat, reclined position 82 and myriad articulated positions (such as at 83) via linear actuators (as at 86 and 87) connected between frame rails 76 and 77 and one or more of the head, seat, upper leg and lower leg sections 12-15.

Referring to FIGS. 17-21, the locking mechanism 71 at arm 46 of extendable wing section 27 and tube member 30 of back section 12 (all the locking mechanisms are contemplated to be the same or mirror images of locking mechanisms 71) is shown and comprises a rocker bar 91, locking button 92, spring 93 and the plurality of holes defined in both arm 46 of extendible wing section 27 and the tube member 30. Arm 46 defines an arm hole 96 (FIG. 20a ) in its outward side. In horizontal alignment therewith when assembled, the corresponding portion of tube member 30 defines at least two, and preferably four holes 61-64 that will align with arm hole 96 when left wing section 27 is in a desired laterally extended or retracted position. As such, the fully retracted position 51 corresponds to arm hole 96 being aligned with innermost hole 61; the fully extended position 52 corresponds to arm hole 96 being aligned with outermost hole 64; and first and second intermediate positions (not shown) correspond to arm hole 96 being aligned with intermediate holes 62 and 63, respectively. Arm 46 also defines an inwardly opening hole 97, near the corner junction 98 of arm 46 and its siderail 47.

Rocker bar 91 is an elongate bar defining at its inner end 100 a button hole 101 and having connected to its opposite, outer end 102 a knob 103. Approximately midway between ends 100 and 102, rocker bar 91 includes a pivot plate 105 that holds rocker bar 91 for pivoting movement generally about a vertical axis thereat, as shown. Pivot plate 105 is shaped and configured to slide into and rest within the hollow cavity 106 of arm 46 with enough clearance to facilitate its insertion and allow easy pivoting of rocker bar 91 inside of arm 46. This includes the width of pivot plate 105 being just slightly less than the interior width 104 of its arm 46 so that rocker bar 91 generally does not move laterally within its arm 46, but only pivots thereat. Pivot plate 105 includes nibs 108 at its upper and lower outer corners, which facilitates is movement within cavity 106. Rocker bar 91 is sized and shaped, relative to the hollow cavity 106 of tubular arm 46 and of pivot plate 105 to allow it to rock back and forth (generally about a vertical axis at pivot plate 105) to enable button 92 to move in and out of locking position through holes 96 and 61-64. In such position, knob 103 has a neck 107 that extends through the hole 97 of arm 46 and connects to end 102 of rocker bar 91.

At its opposite end, rocker bar 91 defines a recess 108, leaving a thinner tab portion 109, in which is defined the button hole 101.

Spring 93 is a leaf spring having a first spring arm 110, a connecting head 111 and a second spring arm 112. In the present embodiment, locking button 92 is formed as a raised portion of the end of second spring arm 112, as shown. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein locking button 92 is a separate element connectable or engageable to operate in concert with spring 93 to function like the combined spring 93 and locking button 92 described herein. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein spring 93 is other than a leaf spring, so long as it biases locking button 92 into its intended holes and that such action is controllable by rocker bar 91.

In assembly, locking button 92 is inserted through button hole 101 so that second spring arm 112 lies against tab portion 109 and within recess 108, and the combination of spring 93, locking button 92 and rocker bar 91 are inserted into the inner end 114 of arm 46 (FIG. 21). When the outer end 115 of rocker bar 91 reaches hole 97 of arm 46, the neck 107 of knob 103 is passed through hole 97 and is connected as by a screw to the outer end 102 of rocker bar 91, as shown. In this position, by virtue of spring 93, end 100 will be biased against the inside surface of arm 46, proximal arm hold 96, and locking button 92 will be extend through button hole 101 and arm hole 96 of arm 46, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 21. With the similar locking mechanism 71 assembled to the opposing arm 45, arms 45 and 46 can be inserted into opposing ends 48 and 49 of tube members 29 and 30, and wing section 27 can be pushed inwardly. Simultaneously, outward depression of knobs 103 (that is, pushing the knob 103 at rear arm 46 rearwardly and pushing the knob 103 at forward arm 45 forwardly) will pivot or rock the corresponding rocker bars 91 and pull the locking buttons 92 inwardly, and out of whichever of holes 61-64 they were extending through and, while holding wing section 27 (which can be simultaneously, conveniently grasped by virtue of the positionment of the buttons 103 relative to the corner junctions 98), wing section 27 can be pulled (extended) or pushed (retracted) to its desired position.

The location and number of the holes 61-64 can be vary as desired. In one embodiment, holes 61-64 are positioned to correspond to bed frame widths of 35, 39, 42 and 48 inches, which corresponds to several standard mattress sizes.

Locking bed frame 12 in a particular position broadly means releasably locking one or more locking mechanisms to hold the corresponding wing section in position until the knob(s) 103 is(are) depressed to move the corresponding locking button(s) 92 out registry with its hole (61-64) and allow the wing section to be moved relative to its tube member.

While the invention is shown in use with articulating bed 70, alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the variable width bed frame 10 and locking mechanism 71 are used with different beds and/or bed frames which have some or no articulating (bending, moving, pivoting, lifting, etc.) capability.

Referring to FIG. 22, there is shown a health care bed frame 120 with variable width frame in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Bed frame 120 is identical to bed frame 10 of FIG. 4 except that the central frame portions 121 and 122 of back section 12 and of lower leg section 15, respectively, are narrower than the central frame portions 123 and 124 of the seat section 13 and upper leg section 14, respectively. The difference—or clearance gap—on each side is shown, for example, at 128. As a result, the overall width of the back section 12 and of lower leg section 15 is narrower by two times the clearance gap; two times the clearance gap equals the clearance width of the back and lower leg sections. In this configuration, side rails 133 and 134 (that is, one or more accessory such as a side rail, assist bar, or any other device or structure desired to be connected) can be affixed (as by clamping, bolting or similar appropriate structure, as shown at 135 and 136, for example) to the wing sections 138 and 139 of the lower leg section 15 (or back section 12), as desired. Such side rails 133 or 134 (or other structure) typically add about 2 to 3 inches to the width of the bed. With the back and lower leg sections 12 and 15 being narrower (in their fully retracted positions 51), the total width of those sections—with side rails 133 and 134 connected thereto—is still narrower, or at least no wider, than the total width of the companion seat section 13 and upper leg section 14, as shown. Bed frame 120 is contemplated for use as a part of a whole health care bed. Thus, an alternative embodiment to the health care bed 70 of FIG. 15 is thus contemplated wherein the bed frame 10 of bed 70 is replaced by the variable width bed frame 120 of FIG. 22. With this configuration, such bed (bed 70 with the bed frame 120), when in the fully retracted position 51, and with side rails 133 and 134 or similar connected bed accessories attached to the narrower bed sections, can easily fit through and be maneuvered through the same doorways and narrow hallways as the bed 70 and bed frame 10 of FIG. 15 that don't have such side rails or similar accessories.

It is also contemplated that the wing sections 27 and 28 of the back and upper leg sections 12 and 15 are long enough, and that the locking mechanisms 71 are sized to permit those wing sections 27 and 28 to extend outwardly a distance sufficient to achieve the wider bed frame configuration that is needed by the intended occupant. This may include, for example, that the rocker bars 91 of the locking mechanisms 71 for the back and/or lower leg frames 12 and 15 are made slightly longer. In one embodiment, the wing sections 27 and 28 and locking mechanisms therefor are sized and configured to enable those wing sections 27 and 28 to extend out to the same total section width as the seat and upper leg sections 13 and 14 when all are extended out to their extended positions 52. Thus, as shown in FIG. 23 and referring to the right side of bed frame 120 (which is a mirror image of the left side of the bed frame), the wing sections 28 can be extended out so that the outermost edges (145 and 146) of any attached bed accessories (e.g. side rails 133 and 134) are in mutual planar alignment, as shown at 147. Furthermore, the dimensions of the central frame portions 121-124 and their corresponding wing sections are such that the various right wing extensions 28 can be extended out and locked in a position whereby the bed accessory outer edges 145 and 146 are also in mutual parallel alignment with the outermost edges 151 and 152 of seat section 13 and upper leg section 14. Or, the wing sections can be extended out so that the outermost edges of all the wing sections (as shown on the left side with left wing sections 27) of head, seat, upper and lower leg sections 12-15 are in alignment (at 148) so that the bed mattress (not shown) can lie evenly atop all the wing sections and fit between any accessories (i.e. rails 133 and 134) connected to any of the wing sections (here, wing sections 28 of the head and lower leg sections 12 and 15).

Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the bed frame has any combination of bed sections with narrower central frame portions (i.e. like 121 and 122) and wider central frame portions (i.e. like 123 and 124). That is, the bed frame may have one bed section (i.e. bed section 13) with the wider central frame portion (i.e. 123), and have three bed sections (i.e. bed sections 12, 14 and 15) with the narrower central frame portions (i.e. like portion 122). Such bed frame could thus have accessories attached to each of the wing sections of bed sections 12, 14 and 15, and when all the bed sections are moved to their retracted positions, the overall width of all the bed sections 12-15, inclusive of the attached accessories, would be substantially, mutually the same, and such bed could readily fit through the intended doorway.

Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein one or more of the locking mechanisms for holding the corresponding wing sections in a desired position relative to their central portion are configured and operate in virtually any other way, so long as such locking mechanisms hold their wing sections in place until the user manipulates them to unlock them and permit their wing sections to be moved to a different position.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

I claim:
 1. A health care bed, comprising: a floor engaging base frame; a bed frame including: a first bed section having a wide central frame portion with a first width and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its wide central frame portion; a second bed section hingedly connected to said first bed section, having a narrow central frame portion with a second width less than the first width, and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its narrow central frame portion; and wherein at least one of first and second bed sections is mounted to said floor engaging base frame.
 2. The health care bed of claim 1 wherein the difference between the first width and the second width is the clearance width, which is at least about 2 inches.
 3. The health care bed of claim 2 wherein the clearance width is between about 2 and 3 inches.
 4. The health care bed of claim 2 wherein the clearance width is greater than about 3 inches.
 5. The health care bed of claim 1 further including a third bed section hingedly connected with one of the first and second bed sections and having a third central frame portion with a third width that is equal to one of the first and second widths.
 6. The health care bed of claim 5 wherein the third bed section has left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its third central frame portion.
 7. The health care bed of claim 5 further including a fourth bed section hingedly connected with one of the first, second and third bed sections and having a fourth central frame portion with a fourth width that is equal to one of the first and second widths.
 8. The health care bed of claim 1 further including at least one accessory connected to one of the wing sections of one of the first and second bed sections, and wherein each bed section has a total width that includes its central frame portion, its wing sections and any accessories connected thereto, and wherein when the first and second bed sections are in their retracted positions, the total width of the second bed section and any accessories connected thereto is not greater than the total width of the first bed section that has no accessory connected thereto.
 9. The health care bed of claim 1 further including, for at least one wing section, a locking mechanism operable to releasably lock the at least one wing section in at least one of the retracted and extended positions.
 10. The health care bed of claim 1 further including, for at least one wing section, a locking mechanism with at least one rocker bar, at least one spring and at least one locking button for releasably locking the at least one wing section in at least one of the retracted and extended positions.
 11. The health care bed of claim 1 wherein each central frame portion includes tube members with ends and each left and right wing section includes arms that are telescopically received within corresponding ends of the tube members to move between the retracted and extended positions.
 12. A health care bed frame, comprising: a first bed section having a wide central frame portion with a first width and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its wide central frame portion; a second bed section hingedly connected to said first bed section, having a narrow central frame portion with a second width less than the first width, and having left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its narrow central frame portion; and wherein at least one of first and second bed sections is mounted to said floor engaging base frame.
 13. The health care bed frame of claim 12 wherein the difference between the first width and the second width is the clearance width, which is at least about 2 inches.
 14. The health care bed frame of claim 13 wherein the clearance width is between about 2 and 3 inches.
 15. The health care bed frame of claim 13 wherein the clearance width is greater than about 3 inches.
 16. The health care bed frame of claim 12 further including a third bed section hingedly connected with one of the first and second bed sections and having a third central frame portion with a third width that is equal to one of the first and second widths.
 17. The health care bed frame of claim 16 wherein the third bed section has left and right wing sections with both retracted and extended positions relative to its third central frame portion.
 18. The health care bed frame of claim 16 further including a fourth bed section hingedly connected with one of the first, second and third bed sections and having a fourth central frame portion with a fourth width that is equal to one of the first and second widths.
 19. The health care bed frame of claim 12 further including at least one accessory connected to one of the wing sections of one of the first and second bed sections, and wherein each bed section has a total width that includes its central frame portion, its wing sections and any accessories connected thereto, and wherein when the first and second bed sections are in their retracted positions, the total width of the second bed section and any accessories connected thereto is not greater than the total width of the first bed section that has no accessory connected thereto.
 20. A health care bed, comprising: a floor engaging base frame; a bed frame including at least two bed sections hingedly connected to each other and having a central frame portion and left and right wing sections having both retracted and extended positions relative to its central frame portion; wherein the central frame portion of one of the two bed sections is wider than the central frame portion of the other of the two bed sections; wherein at least one of first and second bed sections is mounted to said floor engaging base frame; and for each wing section, at least one locking mechanism operable to releasably lock its corresponding wing section in one of the retracted and extended positions. 